Pardew: Brown will be the next Parky

MANAGER Alan Pardew insists Reading have snapped up a player who is in the Phil Parkinson mould in Steve Brown.

Royals finally clinched the signing of the Addicks defender after months of chasing him and Pardew believes he will prove to be a valuable acquisition.

The boss said: "It's been well reported that I was after Steve Brown for a long time. He can't jump, he's slow, but so was Bobby Moore!"

He added: "What he brings us is character and a desire to win that unfortunately can't be coached.

"The highest compliment I can pay him is he's the new Phil Parkinson. One reason I've wanted him for so long is that he can play in a number of positions.

"I've got no cover at left-back and he can play there and left sided centre-half. He can use both feet, which isn't bad for someone who's 6ft 1ins.

"At Charlton he came through the ranks and I don't think he was given the treatment other players who were brought in were given. He's never been instilled with confidence and never told what a good player he is in my opinion.

"When they got promoted he played 40-odd games in this division and the one thing I can assure people is we will give him the confidence here to show what a good player he is."

It is the third time Pardew has raided his former club following the acquisitions of Keith Jones and John Salako. Reading also had Kevin Lisbie on loan a couple of seasons ago.

Although Brown, who has spent his entire career at the Valley, does not enjoy the same star status as Matthew Upson, Pardew insists he has a player who will be a welcome addition to the squad.

Upson proved to be a real hit during his three-month stay at Reading, but the boss has no money to spend so must try and maintain the promising start without splashing out unless he can sell.

The boss added: "Steve's come from Charlton and people will ask why I keep going back there? But with the type of players I've brought in there is one thing that runs through them and that is honesty and plenty of character.

"And until such times as we can generate funds to bring in big hitters then this is the sort of player we need."

John Mackie and Adie Williams will continue in the heart of the defence tomorrow at Nottingham Forest as Pardew admitted: "Brown will travel up Saturday but he's not played a first-team game for a long while so we will find out exactly where he is in terms of fitness before we decide when he's going to be introduced to the side."

One player who will definitely play is left-back Nicky Shorey.

The 20-year-old is in sparkling form and he admitted the season is shaping up to be a promising one.

He said: "I'm not that surprised how well we have been doing. It did take us a few games to get used to the division, but we always knew we had the players to do well.

"I'm enjoying my football. It's a dream come true really because not so long ago I was playing in the Third Division for Leyton Orient. I will savour it and hope it continues."